scholarly journals Phytogenic actives supplemented in hyperprolific sows: effects on maternal transfer of phytogenic compounds, colostrum and milk features, performance and antioxidant status of sows and their offspring, and piglet intestinal gene expression

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Reyes-Camacho ◽  
Ester Vinyeta ◽  
Jose Francisco Pérez ◽  
Tobias Aumiller ◽  
Lourdes Criado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Volatile Compounds ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Digestive Enzyme ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Maternal Transfer ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
Suckling Piglets

Abstract Phytogenic actives (PA) are plant-derived natural bioactive compounds that may promote livestock health and well-being, as well as improve growth performance and production efficiency. The current study aims to evaluate their effects on sows and their offspring. Eighty-one hyperprolific sows (up to parity 7) were assigned to 3 experimental treatments. Control sows were offered a nonsupplemented diet during gestation and lactation, and treated sows were fed the control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg of a blend of PA (BPA) in lactation (L) or during gestation and lactation (GL). An evaluation was made of placental and milk maternal transfer of these BPA and colostrum–milk features, sows and piglets antioxidant status, reproductive performance (litter size), body weight (BW) changes, weaning-estrus interval, and litter performance. Finally, piglet´s jejunum gene expression was measured. The BPA supplementation during gestation (GL) increased the number of piglets born alive (P = 0.020) and reduced (P < 0.05) the newborn piglets BW, while there were no differences among treatments on the suckling (day 20) and weaned (day 7) piglets BW (P > 0.05). Dietary phytogenic volatile compounds reached GL placental fluid, and milk of L and GL sows (P < 0.05). Moreover, colostrum protein in GL and milk fat content in L and GL were increased (P < 0.05). Milk of GL showed inhibitory activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.05). Antioxidant status of GL sows showed an enhanced (P < 0.05) of catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity levels at early gestation (day 35), whereas higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzymes at late gestation (day 110). Likewise, GL newborn piglets showed higher CAT levels, whereas both CAT and SOD levels in suckling piglets, as well as CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px in weaned piglets, were increased in L and GL (P < 0.05). Jejunum messenger ribonucleic acid abundance of suckling piglets in L and GL groups showed overexpression of barrier function MUC2, digestive enzyme IDO, and immune response PPARGC-α, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-10 genes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary BPA supplementation in hyperprolific sows increased the litter size (born alive) and improved the composition and bioactivity of colostrum and milk, besides, modified the antioxidant status of sows and their offspring, as well as the suckling piglets gut health gene expression. Several BPA volatile compounds were prenatal and postnatal maternally transferred (placental fluid and milk).

scholarly journals Regulation of fetal liver growth in a model of diet restriction in the pregnant rat

2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (3) ◽  
pp. R478-R488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan M. Boylan ◽  
Jennifer A. Sanders ◽  
Philip A. Gruppuso
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Liver Protein ◽  
Translation Control ◽  
Liver Growth ◽  
Pregnant Rat

Limited nutrient availability is a cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a condition that has important implications for the well being of the offspring. Using the established IUGR model of maternal fasting in the rat, we investigated mechanisms that control gene expression and mRNA translation in late-gestation fetal liver. Maternal fasting for 48 h during the last one-third of gestation was associated with a 10–15% reduction in fetal body weight and a disproportionate one-third reduction in total fetal liver protein. The fetal liver transcriptome showed only subtle changes consistent with reduced cell proliferation and enhanced differentiation in IUGR. Effects on the transcriptome could not be attributed to specific transcription factors. We purified translating polysomes to profile the population of mRNAs undergoing active translation. Microarray analysis of the fetal liver translatome indicated a global reduction of translation. The only targeted effect was enhanced translation of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins in IUGR, consistent with enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis. There was no evidence for attenuated signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Western blot analysis showed no changes in fetal liver mTOR signaling. However, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation was increased in livers from IUGR fetuses, consistent with a role in global translation control. Our data indicate that IUGR-associated changes in hepatic gene expression and mRNA translation likely involve a network of complex regulatory mechanisms, some of which are novel and distinct from those that mediate the response of the liver to nutrient restriction in the adult rat.

scholarly journals Neonatal programming of piglet gut health and postnatal effects by maternal transfer of phytogenic compounds supplemented in gestating and lactating hyperprolific sows

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Reyes-Camacho ◽  
José Francisco Pérez ◽  
Ester Vinyeta ◽  
Tobias Aumiller ◽  
Lourdes Criado-Mesas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Maternal Transfer ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Gut Barrier Function ◽  
Neonatal Programming

Abstract Background The improvement of sow prolificacy by breeding has increased the number of piglets produced per sow per year. However, intrauterine crowding and/or intrauterine growth restriction typically observed in hyperprolific sows impairs foetal growth which has decreased the average individual birthweight, with a larger proportion of low birthweight (LBW) pigs born per litter with poor gut development and compromised postnatal growth performance. Phytogenic compounds (PC) are plant-derived natural bioactive substances that can be used in livestock production as feed additives to promote animal health and production efficiency. This research aims to study if a specific blend of PC (BPC) supplemented in gestating and lactating hyperprolific sow diets may promote pre- and postnatal maternal effects on performance and oxidative status of sows and their offspring, colostrum-milk features, and piglet gut health-related gene expression and morphology. Forty DanBred hybrid line Landrace x Yorkhire gilts and sows (parities 0–7) were randomly allocated by parity number and body weight into two dietary treatments including unsupplemented Control (n = 20) or Control diets supplemented with 1 g/kg feed of BPC (n = 20) throughout gestation and lactation.Results Several dietary PC from the supplemented BPC were transferred to the placental fluid and milk. The BPC supplementation during gestation enhanced the litter size, antioxidant status, and colostrum protein content of sows. Jejunal histomorphology of neonate piglets, and intestinal-function gene expression related to nutrient transport, antioxidant, innate immune response, and digestion were improved in the BPC group. For both, sows and piglets, plasma antioxidant activity of CAT and SOD enzymes were enhanced. For suckling piglets, jejunal expression of genes related to gut barrier function was improved and piglet weight gain from birth to weaning was enhanced in the BPC group.Conclusions Dietary supplementation of BPC in gestating and lactating diets for hyperprolific sows improves sow’s reproductive performance and colostrum composition, with a significant strength of the antioxidant status of sows and their offspring. The prenatal and postnatal maternal transfer (placental fluid and milk) of BPC to the offspring would influence on the neonatal programming and postnatal of piglet’s gut health, with advantageous effects on piglet’s growth performance.

scholarly journals Genome-wide gene expression changes in postpartum depression point towards an altered immune landscape

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Mehta ◽  
Karen Grewen ◽  
Brenda Pearson ◽  
Shivangi Wani ◽  
Leanne Wallace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Genome Wide Gene Expression

AbstractMaternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern due to the severe negative impact on maternal and child health and well-being. In this study, we aimed to identify genes associated with PPD. To do this, we investigated genome-wide gene expression profiles of pregnant women during their third trimester of pregnancy and tested the association of gene expression with perinatal depressive symptoms. A total of 137 women from a cohort from the University of North Carolina, USA were assessed. The main phenotypes analysed were Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores at 2 months postpartum and PPD (binary yes/no) based on an EPDS cutoff of 10. Illumina NextSeq500/550 transcriptomic sequencing from whole blood was analysed using the edgeR package. We identified 71 genes significantly associated with postpartum depression scores at 2 months, after correction for multiple testing at 5% FDR. These included several interesting candidates including TNFRSF17, previously reported to be significantly upregulated in women with PPD and MMP8, a matrix metalloproteinase gene, associated with depression in a genome-wide association study. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes revealed an enrichment of immune response-related biological processes. Additional analysis of genes associated with changes in depressive symptoms from recruitment to 2 months postpartum identified 66 genes significant at an FDR of 5%. Of these genes, 33 genes were also associated with depressive symptoms at 2 months postpartum. Comparing the results with previous studies, we observed that 15.4% of genes associated with PPD in this study overlapped with 700 core maternal genes that showed significant gene expression changes across multiple brain regions (P = 7.9e-05) and 29–53% of the genes were also associated with estradiol changes in a pharmacological model of depression (P values range = 1.2e-4–2.1e-14). In conclusion, we identified novel genes and validated genes previously associated with oestrogen sensitivity in PPD. These results point towards the role of an altered immune transcriptomic landscape as a vulnerability factor for PPD.

scholarly journals Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1670
Author(s):  
Gerald Reiner ◽  
Josef Kuehling ◽  
Frederik Loewenstein ◽  
Mirjam Lechner ◽  
Sabrina Becker
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Defence Mechanisms ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Histopathological Studies ◽  
Molecular Patterns ◽  
Tail Damage

Tail biting is a prevalent and undesirable behaviour in pigs and a major source of significant reduction in well-being. However, focusing on biting considers only one part of the solution, because tail damage can be found with a high prevalence without any action by other pigs. The lesions are not limited to the tail but can also be found in the ears, heels, soles, claw coronary bands, teats, navel, vulva, and face. Environmental improvement alone often fails to overcome the problem. This review addresses a new inflammation and necrosis syndrome in swine (SINS). It shows the clinical signs and the frequencies of occurrence in different age groups. It compiles scientific evidence from clinical and histopathological studies in newborn piglets that argue for a primary endogenous aetiology of the disease. Bringing together the findings of a broad body of research, the possible mechanisms leading to the disease are identified and then discussed. This part will especially focus on microbe-associated molecular patterns in the circulation and their role in activating defence mechanisms and inflammation. Finally, the methods are identified to ameliorate the problem by optimizing husbandry and selecting a suitable breeding stock.

scholarly journals 142 Reproductive performance of land race hair sheep ewes in different breeding seasons under a semi-continuous production

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 76-76
Author(s):  
Stephan Wildeus ◽  
Dahlia O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Production System ◽  
Continuous Production ◽  
Transrectal Ultrasound ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Hair Sheep ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Lamb Survival

Abstract A system for semi-continuous lamb production was evaluated using Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix hair sheep ewes under 8-mo accelerated mating. Ewes were managed in a forage-based production system using rotational grazing. Two flocks of ewes (n = 30–35), equally representing the breeds, were bred 4 mo apart. Ewes were synchronized by feeding melengestrol acetate for 10 d, and mated in two single sire groups to like breed sires in November (NOV), March (MAR), and July (JUL) in a 25-d mating period. Pregnancy was recorded by transrectal ultrasound 22 d after breeding. Ewes were supplemented with corn/soybean meal during late gestation (0.75% of BW) and during lactation (1.5% of BW). They lambed on pasture with limited supervision, and lambs were weaned at 2 mo of age. Lambs had access to the supplement provided to ewes. Ewe performance (pregnancy rate, litter size, lamb survival, and birth and weaning weight) was recorded during a 2 yr production cycle, and analyzed for the effect of mating season. Pregnancy rate was not statistically different (P > 0.1) between season, and ranged from 93.9% in NOV, to 85.9 and 86.6% in MAR and JUL. Litter size (lambs born/ewe lambing) was higher (P < 0.05) in NOV (2.09) than MAR (1.68) and JUL (1.82). Lamb survival at birth was reduced (P < 0.001) in JUL (86.5%) compared to NOV (99%) and MAR (100 %), but was not different between seasons for survival to weaning (86 to 90%). Lamb birth weights were higher (P < 0.05) in MAR (3.16 kg) than JUL (2.99 kg), with NOV (3.05 kg) intermediate, while lamb weaning weights were higher (P < 0.001) in NOV (13.6 kg) compared with MAR (11.9 kg) and JUL (11.4 kg) mating. Data suggest that dual flock, accelerated mating of landrace hair sheep ewes can produce lamb cohorts of similar size in 4 mo intervals under a low-input, forage-based production system.

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